Bottle-capping machine



l m (No Model.) 4 sheets-sheet '2.

F. M. LEAVITT. BOTTLE GAPPING MACHINE.

No. 527,209. Patented Oct. 9, 1894.

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'.eF. M. LBAVITT.

BOTTLE UAPPINGMACHINE. 4 .fNo. 527,209. Patented Oct. 9, 1894.

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(No Model.) 4 Sheets-'811861: 4.

F. M.` LBAVITT. BOTTLE GAPPING MACHINE.

No. 527,209. Patented oct. 9, 1894.

-IL-ITE- to so combine' the bottle feeding mechanism,

UNITED STATESv PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK M. LEAVITT, OF BROOKLYN,v YORK, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE'. ASSIGNMENTS, TO THE BERNADIN METALLIC CORK COMPANY,

EVANSVILLE, INDIANA.

BOTTLE-CAPPING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. $27,209, dated October 9, 1894.

Applicannn led spamber 2,1893. seri1No.4s4.2s. (No model.)

.To all whom it may concern,.- v Be it known that I, FRANK M. LnAvITT, a

v .citizen of the United States, residingat Brooklyn in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bottle-Capping Machines; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art'to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to bottle capping machines, and more particularly to a machine for applying a metallic cap provided with a depending Iiange to the head of a bottle having an annular shoulder againstwhich the flange of the cap is pressed in locking contact.

'lhe primary object of the invention is to providea simple, compact machine, adapted to operate autmatically; power being supplied from a suitable driving shaft.

Further objects of the invention are to provide effective means for feeding or forcing the bottle upward in position to receive a cap, in combinationwith automatic devices for feeding and applying the caps, and pressf ing their flanges into lock-ing contact with the bottle shoulders; to provide an adjustable bottle holding frame, thus adapting the' machine for bottles of different size; and finally l thecap feeding devices and the means for v g and various combinations of parts hereinafter fullydescribed and pointed out in the ap Pended'claims. y

' In the accompanying drawings-forming av part of this specification, Figure 1 represents aside elevation` of my improved machine,

certain parts beingn shown by dotted lines. Fig. 2 isa plan view of one form of bottle holding frame adapted lfor use with the machine. Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the machine. Fig. 4 illustrates a modified form of bottle holder. tral section of a part of the holder shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of thecap feeding finger. Fig'. 7 is a vertical section showing the cap feeding devices and the `mechanism for compressing the cap fiange upon the bottle shoulder. -Fig. 8 is a horizontal'fsection taken on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 7. Fig. 9Xis a plan view of the cap feeding table, ,with the feeding finger and spring in place, and Eig. 10 isa plan view partly in section of the revolving head or chuck of the iiange compressing devices.

The numeral 1 ,indicates the hollow standard ofthe machine, preferably provided with a flared base 2. The standard is formed with bearingsv 3 and 4, which receive a main driving shaft -5, provided at one end with a xed belt pulley 6, an idler 7, and a gear pinion 8.

Upon the opposite end of the main shaft 5,.

is loosely mounted a sleeve 9, having au in'- tegral radially slotted wheel 10, and a bevel gear-wheel 11, the latter meshing with a similar gear-wheel 12, on the lower end of aspindle 13, supported in bearings 14, of a bracket 15, secured to the standard 1, as shown. The upper end of the spindle 13, extends through a central opening 16, in the bottle supporting table 17; .said table being formed integral with the bracket 15; as shown inFig. 1. A bottle holding f rame 18, is secured adjustably upon the upper end of the spindle above the table 17. Said holder consists of aspider 19, the radial arms 20, of which are curved at their outer ends 21 and provided with curved spring fingers 22, adapted to embrace and hold a bottle 'as shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The central sleeve 23, of the holder is longitudi- Anally grooved to receive a spline or feather 24, projecting from the spindle 13,` and the holder is vertically adjustable upon the spindlefto adapt the machine for bottles of diifer- Fig. 5 shows a 4verticalcenent heights, the set screw 25,serving to retain -of the holder except 'with the spindle.

k The radiallyslotted wheel 10 (see Figs. 1

and 3) -is arranged concentric with the bevel 'gear-wheel 11, and the movement-of said io a stud 31, projecting from the cam,` and adapted to successivelyenter the slots of the wheel 10. Said cam is arranged below and in the same verticalv plane with a roller 32, mounted upon a cross pin 33, at the lower end of a plunger 34. This plunger is supported within a suitable tubular opening or chamber 35, formed in the bracket 15, (see Fig. l) and consists of a rod 36 provided at its upper end with adisk 37, and at its lower end with ahead ger within the chamber 35, and serves to normally depress the plunger which is intermitv vtently forced upward b'y-the contact therewith ofthe c'am-29.y

2 5 I`Within the standard 1, thev shaft 27, is provided with a bevel gear-wheel 40, which meshes with asimilar gear-wheel 41, mounted" 4rLgidIy-upon the lower end of a vertical shaft 42, .(s'ee Fig. l) supported in'suitable bearings 3o within -the hollow standard. ,At the upper end of the standard 1, the vertical shaft42`, is formed with an annularsshoulder 43, (Fig. `7) vupon which is supported the revolving feed table 44,. forfeeding thecaps to the compress- 3 5 l ingumechanism; The upper end of the stand.`

ard 1, is providedwith-,ahead plate 4 5, upon.v f --fwhich issu pported the feeding and? compressi-The 4'shaft 42 etendsfupwardly.throughthe ...cap plat'e47, and is.preferably` jointed-attthe -point.48, to facilitate 'theremoval of t'heparts A 'when necessary. Below 'the cappl'atela horigA 51,:'depends .from thecap @plate 47, andiis Upon the .shaft 51,-is mounted .la sleeves-55,

l `theheador chuck v59,10 revolve thelfatter.

` .-,1 -Thepap. feedingmechanis'm consistsofl a f-e circular ytable-I 44; supported.y upon `.the shaft. *fl-11412,: to revolve therewithf'and formedjwith a am 'groove 6 0-, which receives a ro.1ler.61.,de

y revolving table44, issupporteda:stationaryor. yoke 38.` Aspring 39, surrounds the plun-y formed with a flange =52,at' 'itsl.1ower,- end, ..whi'le its-'upper end is supported,in abear `'jng5-3-,in` the cap plateland heldjby a nut.f54.-

pass through .the cap plate and are held by n uts 65. 'The plate 63 has an opening 66, to allow the passage through it of theshaft 42, and'is formed with divergiug strengthening` ribs 67 as shown, and with a raised off-set. .or chamber 68, within which the finger 62, slides. `The space 69, between the edge of the stationary plate 63, and the periphery of the revolving table 44, forms a passage for the caps, which are laid upon the table, and are. caught by the end of the reciprocating linger 62,-which is recessed atthe point 70, (see Fig. 6) and formed with a Iiange7l, to engage the head of the cap. A light leaf spring 72, is secured to the framework of the machine vadjacent to the finger 62, and across the path of reciprocation to prevent the bac'k. wardmovement of the caps vafter` they have 85 'been 'carried Aout by the linger; It Iwill be lunderstood thattheplate 63 serves to" retain: the finger in its position, and that said nger .through its roller.6l,isgiven a reciprocating movement when the table 44, is revolved.

I will now'describe :the devices for applying the cap to the bottle and compressing the cap flange about the shoulder of the bottle. Above the cap plate- 7.4,/ a cam wheel 73, ismounted u'pon the'upper end of the shaft 42, 95 and yheld by a nut 47. As this cam wheel'revolves with the shaftyits .cam surface contacts with a roller 75, 1nounted upon astud 7i6,-pro. jecting'fron vrocking lever-77, fcrnme'dupon a` cross pin 78, of a bracket 7 S 1 The in- .ner end of said 4lever-is provided/with'are-v traeting spring 80, one-en'd of which is ser" cured to a lug 81.', ofthe lever, while its .opl "posite endis securedtothecap plateasclearly shown iu- Fig.j7. --The'outerend of the lever .37; praises imag boxingsahrsqgh .which passes a centerigl'rodl 83. ,S This rod is suspended from '.th'e' top `of yboxing '8 2,'"and .isl screw-threaded. at its up'per end','an d held-by av hut 4'84. .-I- t is formed-'at its. lowerendlwvithme I a socket 85, toreceive 'the.cap,as sho'wn in Fig. The outer end .of the 1ever77is slot'- .ted (5r-"forked to allow the rod 83,' tog-pass, y.through itand said lever is recessed tolform .s .striking head 84X, a. apt'ed tostrke the. i 1 5 to operate a' cani block'ofl thechuck as will be j f. :ce

`vdescribed hereinafter, 1 Thesleeve 86,"is loosely. supported' Within a' vst ational-y sleeve 88, screw-threadedr'at'.itsnpper end to-.the boxing 82, andl extendihgldow'n;

through acir'cularopeningin the cap 'plate 47.v I

.The sleeve 88, isprovided withamgnnular.ijz 5 tering Fred-83,11%@ y'the vneclenfg? thebottfle. and l* gear-wheel is'- formed IIOO eeive' the bau 9o, of the sleeves' ss. This bau and socket connection of the parts permits the heady to yield suiicientlyto compensate for any unevenness4 or inequalities in the 5 bottle necks.'

Referring to Figs. 7 and 1 0, the chuck is formed with-three series' of radial seats or chambers, each series comprising an upper space or channel 92, a lower channel 93, and

ro an inter-mediate hollow partition 94. Within the lower channel 93, is arranged a sliding block 95, recessed at its inner end to receive the crimping or compression roller 96, which is mounted upon a pin or stud 97.y The outer end of the block 95, is provided with a plug 98, which serves as a striking surface to Ifeceive the 'impact of a rocking lever 99, which is pivotally mounted upon a fulcrum 100, supported in ears 101, projecting from the body of the chuck. NVit'hin the hollow partition 94, is seated a spiral spring 102, one end ot which rests against the end wall of the partition, while the opposite end bears against a lug 103, projecting upwardly being to retract the block 95, after it has been forced inwardly by the rocking lever 94. A cam block 104, is supported within the upper channel 92, and consists of a short rod 105, formed with a cam faced head 106, and a tubular portion 107having an outer striking surface 108. The rod 105, extends into the tubular portion 107 of the block, and a spiral spring 109, is interposed between the end of l the rod and the wall of the portion 107. A stop lug 110, projects from the side of the rod into an elongated slot l11,of the tubular part of the block, to limit the movement'of the rod.

The `operation of the machine is as fol.- lows z--The bottle holder being supplied with bottles, and the machinery started, one of the bottles will. rest uponthe head 37, of the plunger and be raised by the contact of the cam 29, with the roller 32,upon the lower end of the plunger. Simultaneously the cap is fed to position by tne finger 62, through the revolution of the table 44, the roller 61, of the finger traveling within the cam 64, of the table. VThe chuck is revolved -through the gearing 49, 56, 57 and 58, and after the cap is compression of the fiange about the bottle shoulder is effected as follows: The cam surface of the wheel 73, contacts with the roller 75 of the lever 77, thus depressing the outer end 84, of said lever, which in turn forces downward the sliding sleeve 86, 'the lower beveled end of` which strikes against the cam surface ot the block 104, forcing said block outwardly, so that it strikesthe upper end of the rocking lever 99, and tilts saidjlever, thus throwing the lower end -of the lever against the block 95', forcing said block inwardly and .pressing its roller 96, against the cap flange and bottle as illustrated in Fig. 7. lhe reverso movement of the lever 77, releases the parte which .assume their `normal, position from the'block 95, the function of said spring' in position upon thebottle, the crimping or ready for the next operation. The cam 29 through its roller 30, gives a partial rotation to the slotted wheel 10, and through the gearing 11 and 12, the spindle 13, is likewise partly revolved. Thus a bottle is presented tothe action of the plunger as-soon as -the preceding one is capped and moved away.

It will be-observed .that the parts a-re so adjusted'and relatively arranged that the operation of the machine is automatic and continuous, it being only necessary to control the feed of bottles by hand.

It is obvious that the number of slots in the wheel 10, the number of bottle clamps,

and the number of crimping wheels may` be varied at will, provided the relative adjust; ment is maintained, and the required correspondence as to number is observed.

The sliding blocks of the compression devices and the ball and socket bearing of the revolving chuckinsure the required yielding to compensate for irregularities in the surface or contour ,of the bottles.

In Figs. 4 and 5, I showa modified form of bottle holder consisting of a disk 115, formed with a series of bottle openings 116 each of which is fitted with a thimble 117; provided p with a lining 118, of felt or similar material.

I reserve to myself the right`to make all such minor changes or modifications in the construction of the machine as may fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what` I claim-as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent o't' the'United States, is

VI ooy 1. The combination, in a bottleca'pping machine, of.' mechanism for compressing the ange of the cap around the bottle shoulder, bottle feed-mechanism comprising a Vspringpressed plunger, a bottle holder secured upon a spindle and cam mechanism arranged below the plunger for raising the bottle and imparting a partial revolution to the spindle, together with mechanism for automatically feeding the caps, substantially as described.

2. In a bottle capping machine, the combiynation with a supporting standard and a drivingshaft, of mechanism for raising the IIO bottle, devices for compressing the caps into engagement with the shoulder of a bottle, and a revolving table and. means Afor automatically feeding the'caps, all operated from a single source of power, substantially as described 1 3. In rifbottle vcapping machine, the combination with the standard and driving shaftktzs of'a revolving feed table, automatic corn- .pression devices, a bottle plunger, a. spindle carrying the bottle holder -aud a cam and roller substantially as described for imparting ,a partial rotation t the bottle holder and raising the bottle plunger, substantially as described.

4. In a bottle capping machine, the combination lwith the cap feedingl and compressing mechanism, of a plunger, a cam for operating the plunger, a radially slotted wheel arranged .to ben-engaged by. a roller projecting from said capa, a spindle having a gear connection with said slotted Wheel, and a bottle holder having radial'larms corresponding` in ynumber to the slots infsaid radially slotted Wheel, the whole. being so' arranged relatively that a step by step rotation is' imparted to said spindle to successively present thebottles in -the holder'to the action of the plunger, substantially as describe f 5. The combination with a standard and driving shaft, of a spindle geared te said shaft and carrying .the bottle holder, a coun,- ter-shaft also geared to the driving shaft, a vertical shaft in gear with said ,counter-shaft', arevolving feed 'table mounted upon said vertical. shaft and a plunger and cam mechanism for raising the bottle, substantially as' described. l

. 6. Infa bottle capping machine, the'combination with the driving shaft, the cap feeding and compressing ,mechanisnn and the plunger for. raising the bottles, of a cam mounted upon a counter-shaft, and arranged to operate the plunger a radially slotted' wheel mounted.- loosely vupon the driving shaft, and a gear wheel turning with said slotted wheel, to revolve the bottle holder spindle, whenA the. slotted Wheel vis turned by said cam, substantially as described.

7. The, combination in a bottle capping machine, with the standard, driving shaft, and cap feedingand compressing mechanism, of a bottle holder spindle, and mechanism for operating said'spin'dle, comprisingbevel gearling, a radially slotted wheel'loosely mounted on the d-riving shaft and a cam mountedon a lcounter-shaft and provided with a projecting .roller adapted to enter the slots of the wheel.

. and revolve the latter by a seriesgf Apartiali revolutions, substantially as descr ed.

8. In a bottle capping machine, the combination with a stationary bottle-supporting ta- .ble 'formed with a plunger open-ing and a'central`spindle opening, of a spindleprojecting above said table; and a bottle holder adjust- 'ably secured to said spindle,substantially as described. -9, In a bottle Vcapping machine, the combination with a stationary bottle-supporting table formed with a plunger opening and a :clamping fingers, substantially as described..

Atable formed with afplnnge opening and aI :central spindle opening, of a' spindle project-y central `spindle opening, of 'a spindle projecting above said table and abottle-holder adj ustably securedto said spindle and comprisinga series of radial arms provided `with.

10. In abottlecapping machine, the combibinationwith a stationary bottle 'supporting .ingabove said table -and a bottle holder secured to said spindle to 'turn therewith and' vertically,-f,

means for adjusting said holder substantially asdescribed'. 11i In a. bottle capping machine, the combination with means for feedin thepbottles and mechanism for compressing the caps, of cap .feeding mechanism comprising a revolving feed table rprovided with a cam slot, and a reciprocating finger .having a' roller traveling `in said slot,1substantially as described.

12.` In a bottle capping machine, the combination with. 'means forfeeding the bottlesand mechanism forcompressing the caps, of cap nation with the revolving feed table, of a re-l ciprocating finger, a stationary plate snpported above said. table, and a spring-arrangedacross the path of movement of said finger, substantially as described.

14. In a bottle capping machin-e, the combination with the revolving feed table formed with a camslot as described, of a'reciprocating finger provided at one end with a depending .roller adapted to enter said slot, and recessed and flanged at its outerend, substantially as described.

15. In a bottle capping machine, the combination with the main shaft, and a countershaft, o'fa vertical shaft geared .tosaid'couny ter-shaft, a revolving feed table mounted on said vertical shaft and formed with acam slot, a reciprocating feed finger, and a stationary plate supported above the'feed table, subs tantally as described.

16. In a bottle capping-machine, the combination' with a revolving vertical'shaft extend-` ing through the cap plate of -the machine, of a ca'p feeding table revolvingwith theshaft,

a cam .wheel mounted upon the 'upper end ofthe shaft, and a rocking lever one end of which contacts'wi-th saidcam wheel, while the other end controls the compression mechanism, substantially as described.

17. In a bottle capping machine, the combi A nation with a vertical shaft projecting above IIO the lcap plate of the machine, of a cam wheel mounted upon the upper end of saidshaft, a rocking lever one end of which contactswith ris .said cam Wheel while, the other end controls the compression mechanism, a. gear wheel mounted upon-.the vertical shaft below the cap plate, a'revolving chuck-and a train of gearing foi revolving said chuck from said shaft,

substantially as described.

18. In a bottle capping machine, the combination withthe standard and its cap plate andthe vertical shaft, of a depending stud, a toothed sleeve .arranged thereon, a revolving chuck and earin g connecting said sleeve with thev'ertica shaft and chuck, substantially as described..

19. Theeombinatian with thefedmechanism, o f. a stationary sleeve having a ball bearing, .a movable sleeve .arranged within the 'l stationary sleeve, a .centering rod extending through said: sleeve, anda revolublechuck .as described.

20. In a bottle capping machine the combination with the cap feeding mechanism, ofa

4depending stationary sleeve having afball mounted on said ball bearing and formed with channels, sliding blocks supported in said channels, one of said blocks having a cam surfacewhile the other one carries a crimping roller, and a tilting le .er adapted to contact with both of said hlocks,vsubstantially as described.

21. The combination withthe revoluble i chuck formed with an upper and a lower channel `divided by a hollow partition, of a sliding block provided with a compression roller a sliding block formed with a cam surface,

a spring seated in the hollow partition and a tilting lever adapted to strike both of saidblocks, substantially as described.

22. The combination with the stationary and movable sleeves extending into the chuck, of the centering rod, and sliding blocks seated in channels of the chuck one of said blocks having a cam surface adapted to contact with the beveled end of the movable sleeve, while the other block carries the compression roller, and a tilting lever adapted to strike said blocks, substantially as, described.

23. The combination with a revolving chuck, of cam blocks, sliding blocks arranged in proximity to the cam blocks and a ceutrally fulcrumed striking lever, operated by the cam blocks the ends ot which strike the sliding blocks, substantially as described.

24. The combination with the chuck, of a sliding block' carrying the compression wheel at one end and provided with a plug at its op.

pcsite end and a rocking lever carried by the chuck arranged to contact with the plug to press the sliding-block inwardly, substantially as described.

25. The combination .with the chuck, of 'a sliding block consisting of aheaded rod section anda slotted tubular section; said rod tting within the tubular section, a spring interposed between the sections, and a stop lug, substantially as described.

26. The combination with the chuck, of two sliding blocks seated in channels, formed in the chuck, and means substantially as described for forcing one of said blocks outward and simultaneously forcing the other block inward, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

27. The combination with the stationary and sliding sleeves, the latter formed with a beveled lower'end, of a stationery centering rod, a lever for depressing said sliding sleeve,

y a Vrevoluble chuck provided with channels,

sliding blocks in said channels, andv means for moving said blocks simultaneously in opposite directions, substantially as' described.

28. In a bottle capping machine, the combination with a vertical shaft projecting above the cap-plate of the machine, of a cam wheel mounted upon the upper end of said shaft, a rocking lever one end of which contacts with said cam wheel while the other end controls the compression mechanism, a chuck, and means connected with the vertical shaft for revolving said chuck, substantially as described.

In testimony'whereof I aiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

FRANK M. LEAVITT. Witnesses:

G. MURRAY, Jr.; J. A. GRAY.

Corrections in4 Letters Petnt No. 527,209. .l

Itisrherehy certified that the-*natueof th'eLa's-sigee' in Letters Patent No. 527,209, granted October 9, 1894, upon the application of Frank M. Leavitt, of rooklyn, New

' York, for `a.n improvement in 4 Bottle-Capping Machines, was erroneously written and 4 .printed I The'lBernadin Metallic Cork.'- Goinpn-j'zthat said name should have been written and printed The Bernardin Metallic-Cork. Company also ou page '2, line 94, of

the printed. specification, the numeral 74 should red 47; same page, line 96, the ,numeral 47 7 should read 74, and page 3, line-1, the 'word j sleeves should read sleeve and that the said Letters Patent should be read with these 'corrections therein that the seme may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Oce.'

Sigmr, counter tigned, and sealed this 16th 'day of October, A. D, 1.894.-

[smn] JN0. M. REYNOLDS, Assistant Secretary of-the Interor.

Oountersigned: t t

J o lIlN -S. SEYMOUR,

Commissioner of Patents. 

